Nick Monaco is an electronic music DJ and

LGBT advocate A list of notable LGBT social movements, LGBT rights activists who have worked to advance LGBT rights by political change, legal action or publication. Ordered by country, alphabetically. Argentina *Claudia Castrosín Verdú, she and her partn ...

. He has released three albums over his career: ''Mating Call'' in 2014, ''Half Naked'' in 2016, and ''Heroin Disco'' in 2018. Monaco is the cofounder of UNISEX Records and founder of the lipstick company Freak Flag.

Music

Nick Monaco began his career as a DJ and producer in

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

. In 2012 he was signed to the newly formed label

Soul Clap Soul Clap is an American DJ and production duo from Boston, Massachusetts. Active in the club scene since 2001, the group has released a number of mixtapes, EPs, singles, and albums. In 2012 they released their first full-length album, ''EFUNK. ...

Records. As a live performer, Monaco has stated that he intends to portray an air of androgyny, and creates shows that challenge gender roles and gender binaries. He has toured internationally, and creates flamboyant stage shows for his performances. In 2013 Monaco released his first EP ''Naked is my Nature'' on the Soul Clap Records label. His first album, released on the same label, was entitled ''Mating Call'' in September 2014. ''

Vibe magazine ''Vibe'' is an American music and entertainment magazine founded by producers David Salzman and Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. After shutting down production ...

'' called the debut album “an aural exploration of sexuality”. In 2016 he released the album ''Half Naked'', which was influenced by jazz and funk music genres. It also featured the original guitar compositions of David Marston. The two of them also produce a two-song EP ''Island Life'', recorded in the

Blue Mountains of Jamaica The Blue Mountains are the longest mountain range in Jamaica. They include the island's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 2256 m (7402 ft). From the summit, accessible via a walking track, both the north and south coasts of the isla ...

. In 2018, Monaco released his third studio album, ''Heroin Disco''. The album explores the contemporary overdose culture of the United States, including “drug abuse, phone addiction, and hedonism”, according to ''Ear Milk'', in addition to "excess, vanity, and aesthetic". The album was released on UNISEX Records, a label he cofounded. Tracks from the record have been remixed by other DJs including Mija. Monaco also created a new perfume scent for each of the tracks on his album Half Naked.

Personal life and businesses

Nick Monaco is a citizen of the United States, Italy, and Switzerland, and is originally from Northern California. Monaco is also the co-founder of UNISEX Records alongside musician and partner Emmett Kai. He also owns a lipstick company called Freak Flag; the proceeds from which go to charities supporting gender reassignment surgeries through the Jim Collins Foundation. Additionally, Monaco has founded a perfume line to co-incide with his album Half Naked. He has otherwise been an advocate of the history of the queer and trans roots of electronic and DJ music.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Monaco, Nick Year of birth missing (living people) Living people American DJs Musicians from San Francisco American company founders Electronic music groups from California Electronic dance music DJs